Photo: "Water spinach planted in the Organic Unit at Faculty of Agriculture, UPM" by Wee Hong
· CC BY-SA 4.0
Water Spinach · Tropical Leafy Green
Water spinach stems and leaves
Annual · Convolvulaceae
Water spinach, also called kangkong, is a fast-growing tropical green used in Southeast Asian, Chinese, and Filipino cooking for tender hollow stems and leaves. It regrows quickly after cutting and loves hot weather, rich soil, and constant moisture. It suits gardeners who want a very productive warm-season leafy crop and can manage it in contained plantings.
At a Glance
Days to Maturity
30–45 days
Sun
6+ hours
full sun to part shade
Spacing
8–18 "
Seed Start
0 weeks
before transplant
Container
Yes
5+ gallon pot
Height
1–3 ft
Zone Planting Guide
Growing Guide
Germination
Germination Time7–21 days
Optimal Temp70°F
Seed Depth0.5"
Transplanting
Min Soil Temp60°F
Harden Off4 days
Watering
Weekly Water1.5–2 "
NeedsHigh
MethodBase watering
Soil
pH Range5.5–7
Soil TypeWell-drained garden soil rich in organic matter.
Resilience
Heat: HighCold: LowDrought: Low
Common Problems
aphids
Cause: Tender growth attracts sap feeders.
Prevention: Rinse colonies off early and keep plants growing steadily.
root-rot
Cause: Poor drainage and overwatering weaken roots.
Prevention: Use open soil and let the surface dry slightly between waterings.
Nutrition
Feeding IntensityLight feeder
Recommended RecipesRoot drench
Harvest
Harvest when leaves are full sized, tender, and strongly aromatic but before they turn coarse or fibrous.
Expected Yield0.5–2 lbs/plant
Storage
3 days — Keep cool and humid; use quickly before leaves wilt.
Sources
seed_catalog
Organic India Seeds
seed_catalog
Pure Asia Seeds
university
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
Water spinach stems and leaves Planting Dates by Zone
Planting dates for Water spinach stems and leaves vary by USDA hardiness zone. Select your zone below for frost dates, start-indoors timing, and a full monthly planting calendar.
